Distillery: Jacob Rieger & Company—Kansas City, KS
Proof: 90.0 (45.0% ABV)
Age: Four+ Years
Mashbill: 96% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
MSRP: $35
Bold Heritage – Balanced Rye
Rieger may have dropped the “J.” from the label on this bottle, but the legacy and intent behind it remain firmly intact. Since reviving the historic family distillery in 2014, the Kansas City-based brand has steadily earned respect—balancing their heritage with a willingness to explore new ideas.
Rieger Straight Rye Whiskey is distilled, aged, and bottled entirely on-site at the distillery in Kansas City’s East Bottoms neighborhood. It’s built on a mashbill of 96% rye and 4% malted barley and uses a sweet mash fermentation process—starting each batch fresh rather than relying on a sour mash backset. That process, along with a 90-proof presentation, suggests a pour that’s more about balance than in-your-face-boldness that many ryes present.
While the brand name may have been streamlined, this is still very much a continuation of the story Rieger has been writing since its rebirth.
Rieger Straight Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 3.5/5
The Nose opens with dried florals, orange oil, and a drizzle of caramel. There’s a grain-forward quality—cracked rye and dry grass—wrapped in soft vanilla bean and light citrus zest. It doesn’t overpower like some ryes; rather, it invites you in with a gentle sweetness balanced with a slight savory spice.
Palate – 4/5
On the Palate, there’s immediate toasted grain and sweet spice—think slightly spicy hints of citrus and mint coupled with warm buttered rye bread, and ginger snap. The rye edges are softened, perhaps from the sweet mash fermentation. Mid-Palate the whiskey offers light brown sugar notes along with lemon peel. The proof doesn’t push—it amplifies the flavors.
Finish – 3.5/5
The Finish is dry and crisp, with lingering baking spice, a flash of white pepper, and notes of high cocoa dark chocolate. While it doesn’t stretch out forever, the ending is clean and consistent—a quiet close that matches the overall balance of the pour.
Value – 4.5/5
At $35, Rieger Straight Rye Whiskey is priced for significant Value and sits right in the sweet spot for a craft-distilled, bottled-in-house rye. The expression is not a high-proof sledgehammer, but it doesn’t need to be—its appeal is nuance, grain character, and balance.
For those who’ve followed the Rieger story, this rye feels like a steady continuation of their formula: thoughtful, expressive, and anchored in tradition. It won’t be the loudest rye on your shelf. But if you’re new to rye—or ready to revisit a softer side of it—this bottle deserves your attention.
Rieger Straight Rye Whiskey Review: The Verdict
Rieger Straight Rye Whiskey doesn’t aim to reinvent the category. Instead, it sticks to well-executed craft fundamentals—resulting in a grain-forward, soft, and lightly spiced rye that’s easy to enjoy neat.
For those who’ve followed the Rieger story, this rye feels like a steady continuation of their formula: thoughtful, expressive, and anchored in tradition. It won’t be the loudest rye on your shelf. But if you’re new to rye—or ready to revisit a softer side of it—this bottle deserves your attention.
Verdict – 3.9/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.